▪ I. † eˈnact, n. Obs.
[f. next vb.]
That which is enacted, an enactment; also fig. a purpose, resolution.
| 1467 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 390 By the enacte of this present yelde. Ibid. 404 This enacte so to endure by force of this present yelde. 1588 Shakes. Tit. A. iv. ii. 118 The close enacts and counsels of the hart. |
▪ II. enact, v.
(ɛˈnækt)
Also 5–7 inact.
[f. en-1 + act n. and v. Cf. Anglo-Latin inactitāre (1432) = sense 1 (Du Cange).]
I. (from act n.)
† 1. trans. To enter among the acta or public records (see act n. 6); also, to enter in a record or chronicle. Obs.
| 1467 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 379 The actes of the yelde..shullen be enacted and engrossed on a quayer of parchemyn. 1475 Bk. Noblesse (1860) 24 It is..enacted in divers cronicles..that..William the duke of Guien died bethout heire masle. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 647 When these agreements were done and enacted, the King dissolved his Parliament. 1640–1 Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855) 69 We have enacted this letter and will requyer and expect ane exact accompt thairof. |
2. Of a legislative authority: To make into an act (see act n. 5); hence, to ordain, decree. Also with obj.-clause introduced by that. (In early examples scarcely separable from 1.)
| 1464 Edw. IV. IV. in Paston Lett. 493 II. 165 He shall..haue the said fundacon inacted and auctorised in the parlement next holden. 1566 Painter Pal. Pleas. I. 21 The tribunes were verie instant that at length lawes might be enacted. 1596 Shakes. Merch. V. iv. i. 348 It is enacted in the Lawes of Venice. 1633 G. Herbert Temple, Size iii, Wouldst thou His laws of fasting disanull? Enact good cheer? 1709 Strype Ann. Ref. I. xlix. 529 It was now declared and inacted, that the said act and statute..should stand. 1710 Prideaux Orig. Tithes i. 22 The Law of the Sabbath was enacted from the beginning. 1776 Adam Smith W.N. I. i. xi. 190 In 1463 it was enacted that no wheat should be imported if, etc. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India III. 557 To..amend the laws..enacted by the Local Legislature. |
| absol. 1580 C'tess Pembroke Ps. xcix. (1823) God did daigne to talk with men; He enacting, they observing, From his will there was no swerving. 1642 Bridge Wound. Consc. Cured §5. 38 There is an excellent temper of the three Estates in Parliament, there being..no power of enacting in one or two of them, without the third. |
b. Said of the legislative measure. (See enacting ppl. a.; cf. ordain, provide, etc.)
| 1765–74 Blackstone Comm. II. 82 Magna carta..enacts that, etc. Mod. The statute enacted no new provisions. |
† c. nonce-use. To secure (rights) to a person by enactment.
| 1628 Bp. J. Hall in Rem. Wks. (1660) ii. 21 God's book is the true Magna Charta that enacts both king and people their own. |
† 3. To declare officially or with authority; to appoint. to enact into: to constitute. Obs.
| 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xix. (1632) 944 Enacting them enemies to their naturall Country. c 1677 Act Securing Prot. Relig. in Marvell Growth Popery 31 The person so consecrated, shall be, and is hereby Enacted to be complete Bishop of the said vacant See. 1715 Bentley Serm. x. 362 By slow degrees Transubstantiation was enacted into an Article of Faith. |
II. (from act v.)
† 4. To work in or upon; to actuate, influence. Also, to implant, inspire (a feeling, etc.) into a person. Obs. Cf. act v. 1.
| 1616 W. Forde Serm. 43 Nature itselfe..seemeth to have..inacted this desire into every one. 1645 Rutherford Tryal & Tri. Faith (1845) 304 The wind of the Spirit doth not always enact the Soul to believe. 1647 H. More Song of Soul i. ii. xlv, To enact his corps and impart might Unto his languide tongue. Ibid. ii. iii. ii. i, Her phantasie Strongly inacted guides her easie pen. |
5. To represent (a dramatic work, a ‘scene’) on or as on the stage; to personate (a character) dramatically, play (a part); also fig. with reference to real life; = act v. 4–7.
| 1430 Lydg. Chron. Troy Prol., For they enacted and gilt with theyr sayes Theyr high renowne. 1602 Shakes. Ham. iii. ii. 108 I did enact Julius Cæsar. 1828 Carlyle Misc. (1857) I. 199 Through life he enacted a tragedy, and one of the deepest. 1825 De Quincey Cæsars Wks. 1859 X. 155 Marcus Antoninus is a scholar; he enacts the philosopher. 1860 Motley Netherl. (1868) I. i. 9 Its main scenes were long enacted there. |
b. To perform (a ceremony).
| 1846 Keble Lyra Innoc. (1873) 114 She sees him..Dimly enact some awful rite. |
† 6. To bring into act, accomplish, perform. Obs.
| 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, v. iv. 2 The king enacts more wonders then a man. 1616 R. C[rowley] Times' Whis. iii. 1155 If ther be handes that dare enact a murder. |
† 7. intr. To act. Cf. act v. 9. Obs.
| 1593 Nashe Christ's T. (1613) 68, I may be the better able to enact with my hands. 1684 Charnock Attrib. God (1834) II. 559 They punctually enact according to their commission. |
▪ III. † eˈnact, pple.
= enacted, pa. pple. of enact v. a. Enacted, decreed. b. Actuated, influenced.
| 1643 Prynne Sov. Power Parl. ii. 61 That if anything should be enact done by Counsell. 1843 E. Jones Sens. & Event 189 Deception sometimes is by virtue enact. |